Nonetheless, Zhang justifies the Chinese presence and investment, claiming they are there to learn first and generate profit second. c China’s oil and gas imports remain stable as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Australia continue to fulfil supplies.

Zhang sees Canada as a long-term “investment opportunity” and an important part of the growing superpowers multi-channel approach to energy fulfilment. Canadian president Stephen Harper has made diversifying exports of Canadian oil to Asian markets a major initiative, although he realises that pipeline capacity for transporting crude to the nation's west coast is limited.